|
|
|
|
|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/22/2009 9:33:36 PM
|
|
|
BoldforChrist
Posts: 44
Joined: 4/16/2009
Status: offline
|
I know that most people would say inviting lost people to Church is so they can hear the gospel. Okay, they come they hear they leave the same as they came. Week after week, month after month, year after year. They come on Sunday a.m. that's it and then Christians in the Church wonder why these do not attend Sunday School or get involved in the ministry. Then if they do get involved in the ministry you have lost people supposed to be teaching lost people about Jesus :( Please explain why we are inviting the lost into the Church. Jesus said to go out into the world and make disciples, then they become a part of the body of Christ and then they have a desire for Sunday School and ministry. Please, please explain why this continues to go on.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/23/2009 9:48:10 AM
|
|
|
rcjames
Posts: 6721
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: BoldforChrist
I know that most people would say inviting lost people to Church is so they can hear the gospel. Okay, they come they hear they leave the same as they came. Week after week, month after month, year after year. They come on Sunday a.m. that's it and then Christians in the Church wonder why these do not attend Sunday School or get involved in the ministry. Then if they do get involved in the ministry you have lost people supposed to be teaching lost people about Jesus :( Please explain why we are inviting the lost into the Church. Jesus said to go out into the world and make disciples, then they become a part of the body of Christ and then they have a desire for Sunday School and ministry. Please, please explain why this continues to go on.
Well first off the Church and/or teaching folks about Jesus does not save people. We as believers are to live our lives as an example of Christ (Holy Sanctified, set apart for service unto God), and the Holy Spirit is the one who draws people to Christ.
Not everyone, nor even most folks it seems that hear the Gospel react to it in a positive way. Christ speaks to the reason folks reject the truth (the Light) here in John.
Christ present the truth of the Gospel;
(Joh 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(Joh 3:17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
(Joh 3:18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And then Jesus tells us the reason some will refuse the truth;
(Joh 3:19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Some folks just love their evil deeds (sin) more than they do the Gospel (God through Jesus).
Sad, but true.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/23/2009 1:12:43 PM
|
|
|
saraimay75
Posts: 8848
Joined: 5/11/2005
From: Wherever God plants me.
Status: offline
|
I was once lost. Now I am not lost. Why? Someone invited me to church.
_____________________________
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
~Dr. Seuss
http://forums.crosswalk.com/Saraimay75_Cruising_Around
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/23/2009 2:21:51 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
Mar 2:16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?"
Mar 2:17 And hearing {this,} Jesus *said to them, "{It is} not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/23/2009 3:21:39 PM
|
|
|
Elena1030
Posts: 2104
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
Status: offline
|
My thought is that while church services can be good influence for the gospel... they're really not supposed to be intended for the unbeliever, right? 'Cause how can you truly worship the one true God in Spirit and in truth without being indwelled by the Holy Spirit?
I don't think inviting people to church should be our primary way of sharing the gospel... or our sole way. One of many ways? Sure! Especially if we know that our church is one that teaches the gospel and presents the gospel regularly.
We (my denom) does encourage people to invite others to church. And that's one way a child can share Jesus with a friend, even if the child is unsaved himself. He at least can tell what he knows about Jesus. And the friend would be exposed to Bible stories and memory verses in Sunday School.
I think the most effective way of spreading the gospel is getting to know the unsaved person and sharing both a verbal and a "lifestyle" witness (should be both simultaneously). The location (a church building or other place) is really secondary to the process of telling and showing the good news.
_____________________________
Prayer thread for singles who desire to marry someday
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/23/2009 11:31:29 PM
|
|
|
Dakotasunbeam
Posts: 342
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
Status: offline
|
I agree with the OP. Church is NOT for sinners. If a sinner happens to be among us, the Bible says that the gift of Speaking in tongues works as a sign for them. Therefore, back in those days sinners "happened" upon church, they weren't invited year in and year out.
I think the inviting to church is unbiblical because Jesus Christ told us to go into the highways and byways and talk to the lost. WE are suppose to spread the gospel. I think spreading the gospel is difficult these days because people invite folks to church to learn about God. That is not in essence the pastor's job. His job is to equip saints for ministry. Ministry is reaching out to the lost. We've gotten the order confused.
Church should be a place for believers as the church is "ecclesia" or called out ones. There is NO reason why an un-called out one should attend church day after day.
People bring folks to church because they are afraid of persecution. It's much easier to "invite" someone to hear about something, rather than to just tell them what you know; when you don't know their reaction or its effect on your relationship with them or in your workplace/school/etc. It's kind of like inviting someone out to dinner so that after they've eaten the waiter can tell them that their house is burning down. I don't know about anyone else, but, I'd like someone to tell me IMMEDIATELY that my house is burning down.
Our job it is to tell people about Christ, live a godly lifestyle etc. If you're really living it for Christ, people WILL ask you. That is your opportunity. We have opportunities to tell people ALL of the time about Christ. But we don't.
Church is for the called out ones. The called out ones are suppose to tell the good news. The converts are supposed to fellowship with the others as new called out ones.
I often wonder why we as Christians cannot see the divine order in God's plan for saving the lost, building up the body of Christ; as His intentionality can be seen in the wonders of nature. Let's follow God's plan.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 5:38:52 AM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
Church should be a place for believers as the church is "ecclesia" or called out ones. There is NO reason why an un-called out one should attend church day after day.
If Christ is knocking on the door of a person's heart and we stop allowing the sinners in--we have just become the millstone He warned us not to be.
If the church isn't for sinners-then we don't belong there either.
Jesus was clear in the scripture I used in post 4.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 6:40:47 AM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
Luk 4:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
Luk 4:17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
Luk 4:19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
Luk 4:20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
Luk 4:21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Luk 4:22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
Luk 4:23 And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.' "
Luk 4:24 And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.
Luk 4:25 "But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land;
Luk 4:26 and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath,
{Luk 4:27 "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."
Luk 4:28 And all {the people} in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;
Luk 4:29 and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.
Do you not see that it angered the 'holy people' of the church to hear Jesus speak about loving the downtrodden, the oppressed and the poor?
Our churches are the same way! We drive Jeus right out because we feel we are too good for the sinners.
Never mind that we have been forgiven.
However, I really challenge those who can not offer Grace to the "sinners" that they do not truly know Grace because they have not experienced it.
Grace is not haughty or proud-it is humble.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 9:04:39 AM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
Sinner:
1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness
a) (Qal)
1) to miss
2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty
3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit
b) (Piel)
1) to bear loss
2) to make a sin-offering
3) to purify from sin
4) to purify from uncleanness
c) (Hiphil)
1) to miss the mark
2) to induce to sin, cause to sin
3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment
d) (Hithpael)
1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way
2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
See here
Church
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
b) the assembly of the Israelites
c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
d) in a Christian sense
1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake
3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
See here
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 9:26:19 AM
|
|
|
Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
quote:
Church should be a place for believers as the church is "ecclesia" or called out ones. There is NO reason why an un-called out one should attend church day after day.
If Christ is knocking on the door of a person's heart and we stop allowing the sinners in--we have just become the millstone He warned us not to be.
If the church isn't for sinners-then we don't belong there either.
Jesus was clear in the scripture I used in post 4.
She didn't say sinners, and by that she meant the lost who practice sin as a matter of course, shouldn't be allowed in church, but that church is primarily and foremost for the saved. I agree with her because that is the Biblical definition of church.
If we believers were living the Lord's command, any lost person we invite to church will have already heard the Gospel at least once, if not more, FROM US.
The purpose of church is not a place to gather the lost so the "professionals" can preach the Gospel to them. It is the place where believers come to worship, fellowship, and become better equipped to go out and share Jesus to the lost we know and will encounter.
The Great Commission is for every believer, every day, everywhere we go.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 10:52:39 AM
|
|
|
RJR_fan
Posts: 1168
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: offline
|
quote:
I know that most people would say inviting lost people to Church is so they can hear the gospel.
I can see inviting lost friends to church with you, LONG AFTER you have done the work of establishing a real, warm, and affectionate friendship, with mutual respect. After a few years of sharing time and meals with a Muslim, for example, you might want to visit one of his services, and invite him to visit one of yours.
The primary focus of normal evangelism, however, must be on real connections with real people. The American model of mechanized "evangelism" is a stench in the nostrils of God, a flim-flam parody, an Elmer Gantry circus act wherein a stage hypnotist uses professionally-honed techniques to induce temporary experiences of guilt and relief. 96% of those who "went forward" at Billy Graham's crusades, for example, apparently experienced false conversions, since no evidence of subsequent Christian living appears.
If Billy Graham only midwifes 4% real conversions with the model of "evangelism through mass entertainment spectacle," then why should we bring our unbelieving friends to a similar circus, and expect any good to come of it?
Let's put the acCENT on the right syLAble. A real gospel, for real people, shared in real life, has power. American-style factory models -- don't.
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 12:24:22 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
she meant the lost who practice sin as a matter of course,
We all do that everyday! We ignore the needs of the homeless standing on the street corner, we neglect to call or stop by the shut in members of our church, we talk about what so and so wore the other day.
Please! Saying that the "lost" shouldn't be included in the church is just wrong and a majority of the churches would have to close!
Why? Because 80% of the people warming the pews Sunday mornings are LOST! They think that because they walked an aisle, said a prayer, that they are saved!
Christians today do not know what Grace is because many/most have never truly experienced it!
If a person hasn't experienced what Grace truly is-they hold the positions viewed her!
"The church is a place for ONLY the Holy ones"
Jesus wouldn't even be allowed in because nobody would recognize Him!
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 1:42:16 PM
|
|
|
Elena1030
Posts: 2104
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
quote:
she meant the lost who practice sin as a matter of course,
We all do that everyday! We ignore the needs of the homeless standing on the street corner, we neglect to call or stop by the shut in members of our church, we talk about what so and so wore the other day.
Please! Saying that the "lost" shouldn't be included in the church is just wrong and a majority of the churches would have to close!
I hear your heart, sweet sister. Please know that I do.
But ...
By definition, the lost aren't in the body of Christ ..... yet.
Again, here is what I said upthread:
how can you truly worship the one true God in Spirit and in truth without being indwelled by the Holy Spirit?
The unsaved are free to come to church. They're just not members yet.
We're just saying that church services aren't meant primarily for the lost; they're for the believers. B/c it's about worshiping God; thus, see my bolded question above.
In fact, I think that Sunday School is a far better approach (when done well) to share the gospel in the church building than is trying to gear a church's worship times to seekers and the unsaved.
quote:
Why? Because 80% of the people warming the pews Sunday mornings are LOST! They think that because they walked an aisle, said a prayer, that they are saved!
I wonder about that statistic. Could be true. But is it? I don't know. Wonder where that figure came from -- do you know?
And... not everyone who walked the aisle and prayed to receive Christ didn't. I hope that most truly did! I know that I did! I knew exactly what I was doing. Thanks be to Him. 
quote:
Christians today do not know what Grace is because many/most have never truly experienced it!
I think that's really better discussed in a different thread.
quote:
If a person hasn't experienced what Grace truly is-they hold the positions viewed here!
Hmm... I don't think you're understanding what we mean.
quote:
"The church is a place for ONLY the Holy ones"
If you mean perfect by behavior? No. No one is perfect. Not even Christians.
But the church -- the people, not the building, the programs, the services -- IS the entire group of holy ones ---> b/c when we're talking about humans, holy means "set apart for a special purpose." And that purpose is God's purpose.
Christ-followers are set apart ones --- by virtue of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Not from anything we can give credit to ourselves. Certainly not!!
I agree with the other posters --- it's not that we need to stop inviting the unsaved to church. It's that we should be sharing the gospel all the time. (And that's something I really, really need to do. I let fear control me in that area. But... that's another thread!)
quote:
Jesus wouldn't even be allowed in because nobody would recognize Him!
Some might not. But I hope I would!! And I hope many other believers would.
Besides, when He returns, He's gonna make it pretty plain to believers. 
_____________________________
Prayer thread for singles who desire to marry someday
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 1:54:54 PM
|
|
|
Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
quote:
she meant the lost who practice sin as a matter of course,
We all do that everyday!
No, since Jesus saved me and the Holy Spirit moved inside, my normal course is to please and obey my Savior. I slip up, but as a joint-heir with Christ, I am part of the family of God, the Bride of Christ, the Church. The lost can join us in church, but they, as you once pointed out to me, do not know Jesus and they cannot possibly truly worship Him nor can they have real fellowship with Christians and they, according to the Bible, cannot understand much of the content of sermons or Bible study. They are as out of place as I would be in a Hundu temple.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 2:00:01 PM
|
|
|
Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
Please! Saying that the "lost" shouldn't be included in the church is just wrong and a majority of the churches would have to close!
Why? Because 80% of the people warming the pews Sunday mornings are LOST! They think that because they walked an aisle, said a prayer, that they are saved!
Christians today do not know what Grace is because many/most have never truly experienced it!
If a person hasn't experienced what Grace truly is-they hold the positions viewed her!
"The church is a place for ONLY the Holy ones"
Jesus wouldn't even be allowed in because nobody would recognize Him!
If your figure is correct, then I think you've proved my point that bringing in the lost before sharing the Gospel with them is a huge waste of time.
The best thing that could happen, if your figure is correct, is for the Church to experience severe persecution because it will purify it because the frauds will abandon the old Ship of Zion. Then, only the saved and those serious about getting saved will gather together.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 2:43:19 PM
|
|
|
Johnny_
Posts: 769
Joined: 11/26/2006
From: California
Status: offline
|
I would personally share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost person before bringing him/her to the church.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 2:56:53 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
The lost can join us in church, but they, as you once pointed out to me, do not know Jesus and they cannot possibly truly worship Him nor can they have real fellowship with Christians and they, according to the Bible, cannot understand much of the content of sermons or Bible study.
No they certainly can't, BUT when the Holy Spirit is drawing them, as in accepting an invitation to church, who are we to say "No, you are an unbeliever and don't belong here?"
How could we possibly know that that day for them couldn't possibly be the one to change their life forever, literally?
It's making judgment calls WE shouldn't be making. It's calls WE will have to answer for!
quote:
If your figure is correct, then I think you've proved my point that bringing in the lost before sharing the Gospel with them is a huge waste of time.
It's no more of a waste of time, for them to be drawn by the Spirit one day while they are there. You think God won't rejoice over those sinners coming to Him? You think He isn't big enough to change their hearts ans show them the error of their ways?
God does the moving-not US-so why wouldn't we afford the lost, the back slidin, the scared, etc the opportunity every chance we can?
Why wouldn't we show them by our love rather than show them our distaste by exclusion?
quote:
The best thing that could happen, if your figure is correct, is for the Church to experience severe persecution because it will purify it because the frauds will abandon the old Ship of Zion. Then, only the saved and those serious about getting saved will gather together.
He will do this on His own when He separates the wheat from the chaff! 
It doesn't mean that we don't have a responsibility to represent Christ to the unbeliever's sitting beside us.
The number is high and I heard that from a missionary that visited our church. I too, was shocked! Then he explained it.
Many think they are saved and call themselves Christians. However, in day to day life, they do not live proof of that claim. Church is a social club for many. It has nothing to do with God. It has to do with them. Many go because they believe that it what will get them into heaven. many teach their kids the same thing. They don't have a relationship with Jesus. They wouldn't know His voice if He spoke to them.
Look at the many choices christians make today-they aren't based on God's Word, they are based on what they want to do, what they feel is right or wrong. Where is God in any of that. There is no evidence of Christ in their lives. You certainly do not know them by their love.
How do we know that when we are worshipping in TRUTH, the Spirit won't move them right then? It happened when my husband was an unbeliever attending with me!
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 3:04:26 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
Christians today do not know what Grace is because many/most have never truly experienced it!
I think that's really better discussed in a different thread. [/quote]
It's not for a different thread. I stated it because the church body forgets to extend grace to the lost. We forget that we were once lost too. If a Christian hasn't truly received it, then they aren't going to know how to extend it.
Luk 7:47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 3:09:53 PM
|
|
|
zoebob
Posts: 7961
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: land of limbo
Status: online
|
No one has said the unsaved CAN'T come to church. However, it is not designed for them and we shouldn't be counting on just bringing them to church to lead them to CHrist.
_____________________________
L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 3:19:36 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
No one has said the unsaved CAN'T come to church. However, it is not designed for them and we shouldn't be counting on just bringing them to church to lead them to Christ.
When Jesus was walking this earth, preaching and teaching, who do you think He was talking to? Was is only the elect? Were only they allowed at the gatherings, which would be defined as "church"? How about the synagogues? Only the elect there too?
The Pharisees were the ones to disallow those other than the selected "elect" and jesus had many words for them.....
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 3:21:25 PM
|
|
|
zoebob
Posts: 7961
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: land of limbo
Status: online
|
Jesus' preaching to the crowds was not church.
_____________________________
L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 3:27:16 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
Then what was it? How about in the synagogues?
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 3:48:22 PM
|
|
|
Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
Then what was it?
If you want a modern day comparison, then it was like a Billy Graham evangelistic crusade.
quote:
How about in the synagogues?
I'd call that missionary work, if anything. The people in the synagogues were lost before He went in and shared the Good News.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Inviting the Lost to Church? - 9/24/2009 7:26:43 PM
|
|
|
DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1781
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline
|
I could post the whole scripture but I will let you read it for yourself.
Luke 11:37-54
Luke 13:1-9
Ah, but this one I will post!
Luk 14:7 And He {began} speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor {at the table,} saying to them,
Luk 14:8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him,
Luk 14:9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give {your} place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place.
Luk 14:10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.
Luk 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luk 14:12 And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and {that} will be your repayment.
Luk 14:13 "But when you give a reception, invite {the} poor, {the} crippled, {the} lame, {the} blind,
Luk 14:14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have {the means} to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luk 14:15 When one of those who were reclining {at the table} with Him heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
I simply fail to see this Jesus you know.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
